The Black Watch – Tatterdemalion

John Andrew Frederick (his full name) has been the lone constant in the Black Watch’s 20-year career. To date the band in its various guises has released 11 albums and from what I’ve heard so far their template devolves from a cultured palette. ‘Tatterdemalion’ is taken from the most recent album of the same name and recalls classic early nineties heroes Swervedriver and Dinosaur Jr. The vocals are beautifully delivered in a near drunken drawl while the guitar ensemble skilfully produces a cohesive sound from a tangle of high-density chords. This is a million miles away from the scatty charms of new bands like the View or Arctic Monkeys. It is grown up, reflective but thankfully has enough brio to scare your Dad back to his dusty Donovan vinyl. KD